The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-04-08
NEWSPAPER MANS ADVENTURE

A Correspondents wild Ride and Walk Ia
H'' 'aal SCOOP" Rival. t'a-
Philadelphia Prt,,. .'"Tr
In 1876, while in California in the ca.
paclty Of mining correspondent, I rode one
day late in the fall into the new camp at
Granite Basin. This mining district was
said to be many miles from Christian in.
tluencea, but 1t was, in fact, only twenty
miles from Quincy, tho wintry aeat Of
Plumas county on tho north, and thirty
miles from Oroville. "Old Bach" the
veteran quartz miner OF the northern
counties, had recently struck little bon.
ANA of gold.bearing rock in this region.
which had been worked for Its rich depos.
its from 1852 to 1858 and then deserted.
1t was a good thing for my paper in a
journalistic sense, and several thousand
shares Of stock In the mine and milling
company, which Old Bach was indus.
triously forming, II it was first to write up
the great find. ., 81.
A few hours after my arrival at Granite
BASIN, much to my annoyance, l was
Joined by the correspondent Of rival
newspaper. lie was bright young Irish.
man. l Immediately decided 10 quietly
leave the camp late that night, make for
Oroville and send my news TO San Fran
cisco by wire. We all turned in early.
and every one was soon soundly sleeping
save himself. 1t was past II O'Clock
when stole from the cabin, without
awakening my rival or the Others. |
mounted horse and set out on my chilly
midnight ride. The thickly.falling enow
whirled hither and thither, and the air
ives biting cold. When perhaps hall way
to the top Of the hill my horse stumbled
aud fell heavily on his knees. l soon
found that he had famed himself go badly
that he would. never be able to carry me
through, and turned him loose, to find
the way back to camp, and proceeded on
my way atoot. l thought could easily
reach the Mountain House, which was
about twelve miles distant, on the
Oroville road, and there yet another
animal. The storm increased in it's fury.
and in the darkness and driving snow i
lost the trail. Fully two hours passed be-
fore l succeeded in reaching the top Of
Frenchman's hill. The Mountain House
was miles away yet, and l half.dazed and
suffering intensely from the cold. The
blast was terrific, and drove the snow into
my eyes with binding force. l fought
my way through the storm down the
mountain side. My limbs were benumb.
ed with cold and my strength well nigh
spent, whrr, ct sharp turn Of the road,
!! came uooh a ca BIN iull OF servicesble
logs, | hsd takeh the wrong direction
whea leaving the top OF the hill. Instead
OF following the Oroville road to the
south, l had turned to the north; but the
mistake had saved my life. Entering
the cabin, buried myself in the hesp Of
blankets upon the floor and partially
thawed out bsfore proceeded to light a
fire and brew q can Of steaming coffee.
This cabin on the mountain side was
built for that object and is the Gift Of
"Chet," who keeps the tavern, store and
postollics ut the foot OF the hill to the
north.
On the day following WAS gladdened
by the appearance Of carrier who Was
packing the mail over the mountain on
show.shoes. He decided to stop over for
tho night, and being companionable
fellow, it was not long before he let ont
that he had stopped at Granite Basin, and
that snoYed.in newspaper correspondent
there had given him long dispatch to
send over the wire when he arrived at
Quincy.
The carrier and myaelf spent pleasant
evening together, and he babe me a
friendly good night as he rolled himself in
his blankets. lie soon slept soundly. An
hour after ! crept from under my blank.
etc, donned my clothes and strapped the
mail pack on my back. did not wish to
delay the mail for several days, as would
likely he the result Of carrying out my
plan. cautiously opened the door, tied
on the carriers anow-shoes and started
down the great white incline. had not
gone dozen rods when the voice OF tho
carrier reached me, crying,1"Stop, or /
will shoot" lie bad right to shoot, but
| could not have stopped even il | wished,
for VIVA shooting down the hill with the
velocity OF tobopgun. Crack went the
carriers revolver until every chamber
wac emptied. DO not think he tried 10
hit me. was notar expert on tho speed
ing snow-shoss, but, after eeveral tumbles
and few bruises, arrived at Chefs car
Rvebeary.
had calculated upon obtaining mes.
scnger there, but in this i Was diasp-
pointed, and, after q few hours rest and q
hearty meal Bhoulde,ed my mail pack,
tied on my enow shoes ngain and proceed.
ed on my wearieomo way to Quincy.
made it in fairly good time and delivered
my pack. The postmaster there WAS a
goo! fellow, and glad enough to get the
mail without irquiring too coaely into the
la@!ulness OF the delivery.
had narrowly crcaped death; my feet
and hands were ifoCt bitten, but | was
enabled iu the little telegraph office at
Quincy to precede my dispatch to my
paper: with the glorious word "sc6op.'
How l enjoyed the thought Of the discom.
future Of my riya! when he found cut how